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Police Release More Information On Fatal Shooting Of 4-Year-Old

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — There’s new information in the accidental shooting of a Baltimore boy.

Adam May has the latest on the investigation.

Not only was the gun improperly stored, it appears to be illegally owned.

On Sunday morning at Fernhill Avenue in Northwest Baltimore, 4-year-old Tyeshawn Townsend found a gun inside his home. It went off, hitting the boy in the face. He was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead.

“It’s a horrible, horrible tragedy for that family,” said Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld.

But police also say the gun was not registered and they’re having a difficult time determining its origins.

“What we want to know is where did that gun come from? Whose gun is it? How did it end up in this kid’s hands? That’s what detectives are doing right now,” said Anthony Guglielmi, Baltimore City Police.

Neighbors heard the boy’s mother screaming in horror, leaving many with concerns.

“I think guns shouldn’t be allowed in the home, period–especially with young children. Children of any age, actually,” said Anna Coats.

“I just think people who own handguns need to be more responsible with them, but I just can’t imagine what the parents are going through at this time and my prayers go out to them,” said India Motse-Dyson.

Meanwhile, police are now consulting with the ATF. They’re working to trace the history of the weapon.

So far, no one is facing any criminal charges but police say the investigation is still active.

On average, around 200 children accidentally fatally shoot themselves every year in the U.S.

One Comment

I don’t think any home should be without a gun. How else will one defend their family? A gun in your hand is better than 911 on the phone any day of the week. Just because some idiot didn’t properly store their firearm is no reason to take the means of self defense from everyone. I hate to hear about stories like this. It ‘s nothing but 100% negligence and lack of proper education when it comes to owning a gun. What a terrible way to learn a lesson.

If it’s obvous that the gun was improperly stored, why hasn’t anyone been charged with a crime? Maryland law requires firearms to be secured either in a safe or with a trigger lock in homes with children 16 and under – obviously the adults at this residence were in voilation. While it’s tragic that their child died, that does not excuse them from having to take responsibility for their part in the situation.

I AGREE THE GUN SHOULD’VE BEEN STORED SOMEWHERE THAT THIS 4-YEAR OLD COULDN’T GET TO IT, BUT PUTTING A LOADED GUN IN A SAFE DOES YOU NO GOOD WHEN SOME WETS OR BRO’S BREAK IN TO YOUR HOUSE TO ROB YOU AND RAPE YOUR WIFE……………BY THE TIME YOU GET THE GUN OUT OF THE SAFE THEY’VE ALREADY SHOT YOU.

Gerat Herman, or whomever you choose to post by – you’re just what this post needs. Please – if you have nothing to share, please don’t comment. A four year old boy who never had a chance to live his life is gone, and all you can comment about unintelligently is what happens if…….thanks for your valuable input.

Should they (the parents) be charged with a crime? It wasn’t someone else’s chilld who suffered the ultimate price, it was THEIR child. Isn’t that enough of a penalty, them living with such a loss for the rest of their lives??

@ STEVE I AGREE 100% THESE FOLKS HAVE FOREVER TO BEAT THEMSELVES UP OVER THIS MISTAKE, @ PATTY THEY LOST THEIR SON THAT IS WHATS GOING TO STOP THEM FROM BEING SO CARELESS IN THE FUTURE, THAT WILL HAUNT THIS FAMILY FOREVER.GOD BLESS ‘EM

My prayers goes out to this young man’s family. Although, there is so much uproar over what’s right and what’s wrong, we just have to look at the fact that another young child life has been taken. So, there will always be debate to come but lets not forget what is very important at this time and that is a life of a very young child that has been lost. Each violent incident and accident that occurs in our city should be a wake up call for everyone. Instead of being so judgemental and argumentive, let’s use that time to pray for one another and keep each other uplifted. Stay Blessed!

It is a shame that this child’s life had to end this way. I am opposed to having guns in the home whether there are children there or not. A person can live without incident in their homes wihout having a gun for protection.

it a shame that a child was killed because some dumba@@ had an illegal gun in the house. But at the same time it does not surprise me that the gun was illegal. I figure we would hear that and I am sure it will even get better, like the gun has ben used in killings and drug deals, that why some people should not be able to breed…….

shut-up how the he?? can they determine if a gun was used in a drug deal, you know these people didn’t set out to kill their child, people do make mistakes some more costly then others so why must they be a bunch of bad names, we really need to get a grip people i feel so bad for them

Having the right to bare arms and having the right to have a gun in the house IS a deterant against burglars. Believe me I know. I’m a UK cicizen and criminals break into houses and businesses at will. It is very difficult to own a gun over there. 5 yr jail sentence right off thebat for having a gun.
The problem here is irresposible and probably a criminal having a gun loaded where a young child resides.
Probably the parents can’t look after themselves never mind a kid

To all the persons stating that every home should have a gun for self-defense or similar statements please be aware that owning a gun makes it more likely that you or someone you know will be the victim of a gun crime; guns in the home are more likely to be used to commit homicide or suicide than an act of self-defense (http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/gunviolence/gunsinthehome). You are entitled to feel the way you do but don’t pretend that it’s the answer to the *possibility* that your home *might* get broken into while you’re home.

The worst thing about this is a 4 year old little boy is now dead due to the stupidity of a grown adult who should have known better. It was probably some drug dealer who bought the illegal gun to protect his drugs, and had it hidden in a sock drawer, or under a mattress. I would even go as far as to say it was probably laying out in the open for the child to see. This is why WAL MART has $25 dollar safes with keys. I would say that $25 is worth being spent to save a young childs life. I shake my head at the parents. They should have known better!!